NCAAbbs

FIFA turns down Irelands request for replay

Quote:The governing body of world football, FIFA, has turned down the request from the Irish Football Association (FAI) to replay their deciding World Cup play-off game against France.

The controversial match, that was played on Wednesday, has caused a diplomatic storm after French forward Thierry Henry admitted to illegally using his hand to set-up the goal that gave his team a 2-1 aggregate victory to seal qualification to the tournament.

France brings in more money than Ireland. UEFA is every bit as wrong for changing the rules of the playoffs and seeding them during the middle of the qualifying process.

What I don't understand is every body saying that it makes Henry look bad. His job is to win games. It isn't his fault that the refs didn't catch it.

I mean, John Stockton used to would grab guys arms when fighting through a screen and the defender would pick up a holding call. Jordan pushed off and traveled all the time. Didn't reflect bad on either of those guys.

It makes him look bad because it is so blantant.

Henry "reply 'fairest solution'"

Quote:Thierry Henry believes a replay would be the "fairest solution" after his handball set up France's clinching goal in their World Cup playoff with the Republic of Ireland.

As the controversy showed no signs of abating on Friday, Henry released a statement to news organizations in which he claimed again that he was not a cheat and that his handball had been an "instinctive reaction."

For 15 year olds I can buy the "instinctive reaction" but this guy makes a career with his feet...so not so much.

especially with someone who is as great as Henry was.